Building Dreams Abroad: How Pécs Shaped Anas Aladham’s Career Path

Choosing Pécs: A New Chapter Abroad

While working in sales alongside his engineering studies, Anas developed a growing curiosity for the business world. He started searching for master’s programs abroad that would help him build on this new interest. After extensive research, he came across the Stipendium Hungaricum scholarship and the University of Pécs stood out — thanks to its strong academic reputation, vibrant international community, and welcoming atmosphere.

“I looked at the city, the university’s background, and student reviews. Everything about Pécs just felt right,” Anas shared.

The University of Pécs became his first true international academic experience, and the diverse environment helped ease his transition. "From the orientation session, everything was made easy for us. It helped break the ice between international students and professors," he said.

It wasn’t just about attending lectures — it was about building friendships with people from all over the world. Whether during group projects, class discussions, or university events, Anas found himself surrounded by students from different cultures, all bringing unique perspectives. These experiences not only enriched his personal life but prepared him for a truly global professional career later on.

“The moment you meet people from 10 or 15 different countries in one class, you realize how important it is to listen, to understand different viewpoints. It becomes second nature.”

Shifting from Engineering to Business

Switching from a technical field like engineering to business could seem daunting. For Anas, it was a leap of faith — but one he never regretted.

"Of course, there were moments of doubt," he admitted. "Sometimes you wonder if you're making the right move. But University of Pécs gave me the space to experiment with ideas, make mistakes, and learn without fear."

One of the highlights of his academic journey was the Idea Development course, which quickly became a turning point. It wasn’t just theory: the course encouraged students to build real business concepts, present them, defend them, and refine them based on feedback.

In one of these projects, Anas and his teammates developed a concept for an app called UWalk — a platform designed to help introverted individuals connect and communicate more comfortably in professional settings. The project captured the attention of the faculty and eventually, the university itself supported further development.

It wasn’t just a classroom exercise; it became a live experience of building, pitching, and adapting — skills critical for the real business world.

Building a Bridge to Professional Life

For Anas, working on UWalk was more than just a class project; it became a gateway into the real world of business. Presenting to investors, defending ideas, and receiving critical feedback taught him invaluable lessons that traditional lectures alone could not offer.

"The university didn’t just encourage ideas — they helped us bring them to life. It connected our education directly to real-world challenges," he said.

This experience made Anas realize that learning doesn’t only happen through textbooks. It happens through action, feedback, and collaboration — and that realization became a foundation for his professional success.

Finding Success Beyond the Classroom

After graduating, Anas quickly transitioned into the Hungarian job market, landing his first corporate role as an International Sales Manager. His journey wasn’t without challenges, but the proactive mindset he developed at Pécs helped him navigate the job search.

His advice to students looking for jobs?

• Know yourself first: Understand what field you want to work in and tailor your CV accordingly.

• Use LinkedIn smartly: Reach out to recruiters directly and build a professional profile.

• Don’t fear rejection: See every rejection as a step closer to finding the right fit.

• Keep learning and adapting: Every experience adds to your professional growth.

After some time, Anas transitioned to a new opportunity at Wizz Air, where he now works as a Purchasing Manager. Here, he applies skills he began building years ago — negotiation, teamwork, and project leadership — to help the company secure the best terms and prices.

"At university, I learned not just theories but how to work in teams, manage projects, and adapt to challenges — those are skills I use every day in my career," he explained.

Studying at the University of Pécs, surrounded by international peers, had already prepared him for working in multicultural corporate environments.

"In my current job, I work with people from all over the world. Thanks to my experience in Pécs, communicating across cultures feels natural and comfortable."

Lifelong Lessons: Growth Never Stops

One of the things that stands out most about Anas’s journey is his belief in continuous growth. Even today, while succeeding in his corporate career, he maintains a personal passion for writing — something he started while studying in Pécs. Through his articles on Medium, he continues to reflect, learn, and connect with a wider community.

He also shared an important insight: "A 9-to-5 job isn’t something to avoid; it's a blessing. It builds your network, teaches you discipline, and opens opportunities for growth if you use it wisely."

When asked what advice he would give to current students, Anas’s words were clear:

• Stay connected to your professors: They have knowledge and experience to share beyond textbooks.

• Take risks: University is the best place to try, fail, and learn without major consequences.

• Stay patient: Opportunities will come — persistence and resilience are key.

And if he could go back and give himself advice during his student days?

"I would tell myself to talk even more to professors, ask more questions, and take every opportunity to learn. They are there to support you."

Looking Ahead

As he continues building his career in Hungary’s dynamic business environment, Anas hasn’t lost his entrepreneurial spirit. His dream for the future? To one day open his own company in logistics or procurement — applying everything he has learned from university to corporate life.

In his words: "You don’t have to start big. Just start. Keep learning, stay curious, and trust your journey."